ICA Member Profile: Mike Robertson

Mike Robertson is a domain name professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in buying, selling, managing and monetizing domain names, with total domain sales in excess of 8-figures. His work has been featured and quoted in various trade and industry publications as well as mainstream media such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and News.com.au. He is currently the Director of Business for Fabulous.com and Directnic.com. In his spare time he enjoys attending concerts and playing sports.

Tell us a little bit about your background and your personal story.
In 2001 I graduated with Honors from Central Queensland University, where I received a Bachelors Degree in Business, majoring in Marketing. I joined Fabulous.com in 2002, where I was Business Development Manager, working closely with partners including Google and Verisign. I was also responsible for managing accounts for the larger domain name investors.

I left Fabulous.com in 2011 and started my own domain name brokering company, DomainGuardians.com, where I sold and acquired domains for clients. Some notable acquisitions include, Curious.com, Rev.com, BTC.com, Strong.com and Evergreen.com. Some notable sales include, eSignature.com and BTC.com.

In 2014 I joined DNC Holdings (parent company of Directnic.com) as Director of Business Development. Late 2017 I headed the negotiations/acquisition of Fabulous.com.

How did you get involved in the domain industry?
Honestly, I fell into by accident. I landed a job at Dark Blue Sea (the parent company of Fabulous.com at the time), not knowing anything about the domain industry and here I am 16 years later.

What is your current role?
Director of Business for Fabulous.com and Directnic.com

Why did you choose to support the ICA?
Having made a career in the domain name industry, I feel like it’s important to support the ICA, who’s primary goal is to protect the interests of all those that have a stake in domain names.

Can you share a prediction about the future of the domain industry?
We will continue to see everyone from start-ups to Fortune 500’s realize the importance, power and value of owning premium domain names, which will lead to more and more impressive domain sales/acquisitions. There will also be consolidation within the industry, with more acquisitions or mergers.

What do you like most about the domain industry?
Definitely the relationships and connections I’ve made during the last 16 years. There are so many incredibly smart, highly intelligent, kind, caring, down to earth, humble people who I am always learning from and enjoy hanging out with.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges the domain industry is faced with?
Educating those individuals/companies outside of the domain name industry that owning a portfolio of domain names as assets/investments is a legitimate business.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the ICA?
If you have any involvement or investment in the domain name industry, small or large, it’s important that you support the ICA in any way you can. They are actively working to ensure that the interested of all participants in the domain name industry are protected.

What unexpected doors opened for you because of your involvement in the domain industry?
I wouldn’t necessarily say doors have opened for me, however, being involved in the domain industry has allowed me to travel the world and ultimately live and work in the United States.

What’s the best advice ever received (domain related or otherwise)?
Everything will be alright in the end… if it’s not alright… it’s not yet the end.

What are your main interests outside of the domain industry?
Music. I always look forward to Fridays when new music (typically) drops and going to live concerts is on of my most favorite things to do. Fitness is another of my passions. I’ve always been an athletic person, playing a number of sports from the age of 5.

The views expressed here are the personal views of the member and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ICA.